Tune in today: March 14

For the last several months — or last few years, even — “The Office” (8 p.m., WOAI, TV-PG) has been spinning its narrative wheels.

Who would have predicted that the writers would end the series by showing its central couple, Jim and Pam, possibly growing apart and splitting up before the final credits roll? It's as if they were saying, “'The Office' has always been painful to watch. Now we're going to make it excruciating before we go.”

In many ways, this development reflects the logic of character development. Both the audience and Pam fell in love with Jim the slacker. He treated his job and, to some extent, his life as a bit of a joke.

But the sight of Pam's once apathetic ex, Roy (David Denman), as a wildly successful entrepreneur planted the seeds of ambition in Jim. He went to Philadelphia to work on a business startup and fell in love with a life and a job that could amount to something.

The fact that Pam feels left behind by Jim and at the same time is uninterested in following him presents a brutal, honest character development. We may not like where “The Office” is heading in its final episodes, but we're now more likely to follow its memorable trajectory.

The six-part reality series “Funeral Boss” (9 p.m., Discovery Fit & Health, TV-14) follows the work and family life of funeral home operator Bill Harris.

Other highlights

Bon Jovi performs, and the first finalist goes home on “American Idol” (7 p.m., KABB, TV-14).